3116 



Birds. 



brood of young woodcocks was seen at Brede, in East Sussex. I have known the 

 woodcock to breed in that neighbourhood for some years, and believe that great num- 

 bers do so all through this part of Sussex. A fortnight ago I saw three eggs, and in 

 1849 eight others, which had also been taken near here; and I know the bridge-keep- 

 ers find four or five nests every year. I will conclude by stating that there are at this 

 moment fourteen woodcocks hanging up in our market, all from this neighbourhood. 

 — Walter W. Reeves; Parade, Tonbridge Wells, April 8, 1851. 



White Specimen of the Knot. — A specimen of this bird, quite white, was shot near 

 Maldon, in Essex, on the 13th of February, and is now in the possession of Mr. J. 

 Green, Naturalist, No. 1, East-road, City-road. — Edivard Newman. 



Occurrence of the Little White Heron (Ardea russata) in South Devon. — I have 

 obtained a very fine specimen of the little white heron (Ardea russata) , which was shot 

 in the south of Devon last April. — A. Clevland : Tapley Park, Barnstaple, Devon. 



Note on the Changes of Plumage ivhich occur periodically in the Male Birds of 

 several different Species of Ducks. — Amongst the many interesting periodical changes 

 of plumage among birds, there are probably few more curious than that by which the 

 male birds of many species of ducks almost entirely lose their distinctive dress during 

 a shorter or longer interval (in different species) between the finishing of one breeding 

 season and the commencement of the following. The periods at which these changes 

 take place are, of course, best observed (where possible) in birds in a wild state ; but 

 as the migratory habits of the tribe render such observations difficult, it would proba- 

 bly assist our knowledge of the subject, if those who have the opportunity of observing 

 the changes of plumage which occur in ducks that are kept in captivity, would record 

 the results which may come under their notice in this particular. With the view of 

 contributing my quota to such researches, I beg to forward a list of observations which 

 have been made by my gardener during the past twelve months, on nine different spe- 

 cies which I keep pinioned on a suitable piece of water, where they appear to be pre- 

 served in good general health. The list has been drawn up with the view of showing 

 the date of the commencement and completion of each moult in each species ; the 

 species being arranged in the order of the commencement of the first change. 



Time of beginning Time of having Time of begiuning Time of having 

 to lose the full completed the to reassume the completed the 

 male plumage, process of losing full male plu- reassumption of 

 full male plumage. mage. full male plumage 



Hybridbrt^naMallardJ May w Ju]y „ ^^ g 0c(ober 22 



Gadwall June 2 „ 7 „ 4 „ 5 



Mallard „ 6 August 4 Not observed „ 5 



Garganey „ 16 „ 4 Decemb. 28 February 18 



Widgeon „ 17 „ 20 Septemb.19 Novemb. 10 



Carolina Wood Duck „ 17 July 23 August 8 October 1 



Pintail „ 20 „ 18 Novemb. 8 January 9 



Shoveller „ 30 August 10 „ 10 February 18 



Teal July 2 July 27 October 1 Novemb. 3 



— J. //. Qurney ; Easton, February 25, 1851. 



Longevity of the Nyroca Duck. — A specimen of the Nyroca duck, which was taken 

 in a decoy at Hempstead, in this county, has lately died, having lived in captivity just 

 fifteen years. It was a male bird, and always appeared to be in good health during 

 the above period. As it is only by the collection of facts that light can be thrown on 



